Beetham n-ballers — Laventille queens

BEETHAM UNITED are the queens of netball as the curtain came down on the Laventille Games 2004 sports segment. They beat Keds 51-44 in a thrilling final which they led all the way to take the $600 prize money, Angostura Trophy and gold medals. Led by national call-up goal-shoot Candace Nelson with 49 goals from 60 attempts, the Beetham girls led 14-4 at the end of the first quarter of Sunday’s match at the Angostura Sports Complex, Success Village. But thoughts of a runaway victory were quickly dispelled when Keds behind 38 goals from Denise Rose made a giant rally to outscore their rivals 16-13 for a half-time scoreline of 27-20 to Beetham.

Keds continued their brave rally in the third stanza and came to within three goals at the end, trailing 37-33. The come-from-behind effort told on the Keds players nearing the end, however, and they fizzled to defeat.  They got the runners-up purse of $300 and silver medals. Joycelyn Marcelle contributed four goals from 11 attempts to the winners, while goal-attack Sharon O’Brian had six of 12 for Keds. Earlier, T&T United “A” and Hits featured in an 47-47 tie to share the bronze medals. Hits led at the end of the opening quarter 14-12 and were still ahead at half-time 24-22 and at the end of the third 34-33, but T&T United pulled level nearing the end of the final period. Carlene Sylvester had 34 goals for United and Suivaughn Skeete 13, while Joelisa Cooper netted 35 goals and Leann O’Brian 12 for Hits.

On Saturday, Chinapoo Government whipped Morvant New Government 10-6 to capture the Primary Schools Division title. Diamond King scored seven goals from 12 attempts and Shennelle Simmons had three of  six for Chinapoo. Hannah Gittens got four of 14 and Victoria James netted two of five for the Morvant girls. T&T United “B” were voted most disciplined team, while Gisselle Stephen of Keds was named “Most Valuable Player.”

Honour Roll:
OPEN DIVISION — Winners Beetham United; Runners-up: Keds; Third: T&T United “A” and Keds.
Most Disciplined Team — T&T United “B”.
Most Valuable Player — Gisselle Stephen (Keds).
PRIMARY DIVISION — Winners: Chinapoo Government; Runners-up:  Morvant New Government.